Our Mini Makers™ Studio provides supervised care for young children who need a space to learn, explore, create, and grow while their parents work onsite.

Our "play school" approach is based on a character-education model and emphasizes promoting exposure to integrative arts in a play-based setting. Staffed by team of trained caregivers and parents, our developmentally-designed child care area welcomes young children (3 months to 5 years). Space permitting, we are able to include older children (ages 6-12 years) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to learn more or apply here.

Together, we aim to expose children to a variety of educational and artistic experiences while they learn and play together.

Our Philosophy

We believe the best learning happens when children have the freedom to explore, connect, and play - this is the ethos behind our "play school" philosophy.

With both indoor and outdoor spaces, our caregivers focus on incorporating music, art, reading, and supervised free play into the daily program. We focus on enhancing children’s character education at a young age. Each month, we select a core value to feature and apply through technology, art, and creative play.

Childcare Cost + SCHEDULE

Onsite childcare is included in most membership levels with different hourly packages based on parent preference. Additional hours can be purchased for siblings at a reduced rate. We do not currently offer drop in childcare or drop off options where parents can be offsite while their children are in our care. Please view our membership packages to learn more.

Currently, childcare is offered 30 hours per week Monday through Friday from 11:00am-5:00pm. You can choose to use as little as 3 hours per week to join us onsite!

Meet our caregivers

Our Mini Makers™ Studio is under the direction and supervision of a professional team of Educators, Behavioral Psychologists, Professional Coaches, student interns, and parents. Together, they aim to expose your children to a variety of educational and artistic experiences while they learn and play together.

Leadership Team

Leslie Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC, graduated from UCLA with degrees in Communications, Education, and Applied Developmental Psychology. She also is a trained as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and has experience working in Higher Education in student leadership development. Leslie is the Co-Founder of The Makers Place™ where she currently serves as the Community Manager and Coordinator of the Mini Makers™ Studio. She also works as a Leadership Coach and Lifestyle Strategist at her boutique practice, Lead With Intention®.

Joel Bosserman, M.A., BCBA, is a Behavior Analyst with a decade of experience working with children and families that have a range of developmental and behavioral issues. He currently runs an early intervention preschool program for children with Autism in the Woodland Joint Unified School District. Along with his wife Leslie, Joel is the Co-Founder of The Makers Place™ and also does Behavioral Assessments, Parent Training, and in-home work for children and families through his corporation, Entropy Behavior Services, Inc.

The Bossermans are based in East Sacramento where they live with their two young boys. When they are not playing at McKinley Park or hosting epic dinner parties, they enjoy traveling the globe, dancing (and singing) to all kinds of music, and reading as a family.

Taylor Olin serves as the Childcare Coordinator in our Mini Makers™ Studio. She is Mom to Harper Ray – a spitfire of a 1-year-old, wife to Ryan – a persistent and patient man with a powerful mind, and lover of all things coffee and Jesus. When Taylor’s not being her own boss with Mary Kay Cosmetics, she can usually be found running around outside with Harper and her two dogs, taking way too many pictures, and volunteering at her church campus as the Nursery Director. Taylor has a background in Medical Assisting and Early Child Development and is able to fully embody her passion for letting every child know they’re loved in our childcare program!

Our Caregivers

Ana Manzano Fairbairn loves exploring new playgrounds and having dance parties with her adventurous, animal-loving toddler. Never one to sit still for very long, she can also be found dreaming up new whimsical Ana Apple goodies for kids, co-directing inspiring River City Marketplace events, and managing the catering & events program at Federalist Public House. In an attempt to try her hand at sitting still, Ana is currently embarking on her yoga teacher certification with the goals of providing fellow parents with energetic support and sparking mindfulness in children of all ages.

Bailey Mannisto-Iches is a full-time student, half-time marketer and 24/7 single mom to one small human and a slightly smaller poodle. After pursuing several degrees, traveling the world, and living all over California and across the country, Bailey's landed back in Sacramento where she's making big changes in her career. Working with children has come naturally to Bailey who will become a full time School Psychologist in the fall! For now, you'll be seeing her around The Makers Place™ as she juggles client meetings, her studies, and caring for your kiddos!

Kelly Hopkins grew up in a large family with five brothers. When she's not working as the Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley Conservatory, Kelly enjoys adventuring by bike, boots and boat! She enjoys staying active and being outdoors and loves to kayak and stand up paddleboard with her family. Kelly is also a Head Coach a Kaia FIT and loves helping other achieve their fitness goals in a fun way!

Jenessa Kayyali is the mother of two girls, one dog, and a musician husband. Being the youngest of 5 children and aunt to 18 nieces and nephews, she understands that it takes more than just a village to raise children! She spent a decade providing in-home childcare to neighbors while in high school and college. After pursuing a career in media and advertising, Jenessa currently works part-time as a Stitch Fix stylist and is simultaneously chasing her children and her daydreams.

Natasha Thompson recently returned to her hometown of Sacramento after ten years living in DC and St. Louis. Her family has fallen in love with the Crocker Art Museum, the California Railroad Museum, Art Beast, and the many other amazing local spaces available to explore as a family! Natasha's professional background in teaching ranges from preschool to middle school classrooms, international graduate students to professional market researchers, neighborhood tutoring centers to church Sunday schools. She is excited to teach her daughter the values of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community as they share life with other families at The Makers Place™

Mindy Jovanovic wears many hats as the mother of two sweet boys as well as the founder and co-organizer of River City Marketplace: A series of events designed to connect creatives and community. She also owns a local candle brand, Peace Love and Soy Wax, and works as a Compliance and Onboarding Coordinator for Advanced Behavioral Therapies. Mindy has a background as a nanny, daycare provider, and camp counselor, and enjoys spending time with children. She is passionate about community involvement, activism, and leadership. Her goal for the next year is to try and find that work-life balance "sweet spot."

Sheri Sullivan is a mother to two active boys who appreciate crafting and cooking alongside her when they’re not riding biking or playing ball. With a background in Fine Arts and a Graphic Design, Sheri often desings unique arts and crafts projects for our childcare program and loves getting kids involved in expressing their creativity through exploring arts and crafts. She also serves locally on the Fremont MOPS leadership team and previously used to own a FIT4Mom franchise in Southern California.

Join Our Virtual Community

Sign up with your email address to receive our latest updates and special offers!

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Thank you for joining our virtual community!

Stay tuned for our latest updates and special offers. We look forward to seeing you around!